The Moon is just past its first quarter, Mercury is moving closer to its final square to Saturn, the Sun is moving into a trine with Saturn, and Mars is moving into a conjunction with Pluto by Thursday.

* The ride up to the full Moon is going to be toned by the Mercury/Saturn square, along with the Mars/Pluto conjunction. These two transits alongside the waxing Moon both point to dynamic levels of pressure at work, both personally and collectively.

* As Pluto is also turning retrograde right now we are seeing a shift or change in momentum taking place. Normally, Pluto's turns take so long that they aren't nearly as perceptible as this one is likely to be, and that is because just as Pluto is turning retrograde this week it will be triggered by the conjunction with the much faster and exalted Mars in Capricorn.

* For example, the most recent time that Mars conjoined Pluto just as Pluto was turning retrograde, it was March of 2001, and the Taliban had just taken tanks, missiles, and explosives to destroy statues of the Buddha that were carved into the face of a rock in the Bamyan valley of Afghanistan. On the day that Mars and Pluto conjoined the New York Times ran a story about the destruction of the statues, exploring the motivations of the Taliban, who had publicly stated that they decided to destroy the statues in response to the denial of foreign aid for starving children. When the foreign aid was offered only for the restoration of the statues, a cultural heritage project, the Taliban decided to destroy the statues. However, the Taliban did not comment on the fact that there was also an offer to purchase the statues, the money from which could have been used to aid the cause of the children. This event has been considered by scholars and commentators on the "war on terror" to be a critical turning point in the Taliban's history, one that was directly related to an increased level of aggression toward other public monuments or religious/cultural monuments. Mars then went retrograde (as it will do again this summer in the sign of Aquarius), and came back into close proximity with Pluto leading up to the September 11th attacks.

* I don't use this example to raise the alarm. I'm not trying to make any predictions about what will happen, either. But it's a very good example of a recurring planetary pattern and how momentum shifts with Pluto, being triggered by Mars, can show up in the collective.

* Notice how the conjunction of Mars to Pluto showed up as detonation, violence towards sacred things, sacrilegious or taboo topics, and a change of momentum or a turn of plot triggered by intense, cutting, confrontational events?

* Notice how the event reflected a serious and very public turn, an omen, if you will, of things to come? We should watch very carefully as the rest of this moon cycle unfolds. When Mars and Pluto conjoin this week, we may notice that explosive or pivotal events are taking place that reflect a larger plot turn in our lives. This turn will play out very powerfully over the summer months as Mars moves through a long retrograde in close conjunction with the South node and square to Uranus.

* Remember that if you look at the big picture of your life, some events, while big and important in their own right, are really signals of larger/longer changes taking place. It's a very good time to remember the forest for the trees, as Mars/Pluto has a tendency to push our "react/react/react" buttons!​Prayer: Give us faith. Give us trust. Remind us that nothing eternal can be destroyed. Remind us that we are eternal and everything of ultimate value is eternal. Give us the audacious courage needed to accept all of the circumstances of our lives.

Alright. Let's go for it. Let's throw a big Mars/Pluto rock into the water today.

When Mars and Pluto come into a square with each other, and Mars is in the sign of the balance, there is an opportunity to embrace what appear to be contradictions and allow the tension of these apparent contradictions to work on the soul...it's never easy to do this, but it is always good for the soul, who is turned off by pat answers and overly simplistic notions of right and wrong...what is soulful is complex, deep, rich, and brimming with the tension and relaxation of opposites. The soul is the middle ground, the holding place of all experiences, and the ever-present witness...the faithful friend, ever listening.

Here are a few contradictions worth exploring right now...and please do not take these words too literally, or as indications of my own committed views or beliefs. I write this post today specifically to push the "Mars/Pluto" envelope that we see in the sky right now, for the sake of exploring what is deep, controversial, charged, and taboo within ourselves and the soul of the world at this hour.These voices are here too...consider:

* For as much as we might like to think that social change or progress is happening, we should also consider that the shadow of these "progressive" moral awakenings is a culture of blame, materialistically-based victimization and/or empowerment rather than spiritual healing and spiritual empowerment, popular and selective outrage, and trendy activism that is ultimately as egotistical and consumerist as anything else.

Ouch, right? That's not comfortable. Really not liking that!

How about this one...

* For as much as we think that men should change, or will change, thanks to this new call to action in the collective, we will not likely see a major change but rather more secretiveness and repression of these exact masculine qualities, which will end up creating more complicated issues and even more complex layers of social/sexual violence, because at the end of the day we are animals, as much as we might be capable of displaying elevated states of rational intelligence or awareness or even moral reform. And after all, we are living in the Kali-yuga (or something like it), and this is a sinking ship. It's not going to get better, it's going to get worse. What looks like material progress within these political/social/cultural upheavals is actually only the intensification of material power struggles that are first and foremost archetypal and therefore without end in the material world, whose final destiny is material death. Even the cosmos will die.

Also, not a fun, bright, beautiful set of ideas, and yet these ideas exist. They exist just like trees and stars and people and plants and all the other things that exist and continually compete with other ideas about the way things are.

More:

* It's possible for a good cause to be co-opted by bad people. It's possible for all different kinds of "good" causes to also have both intentional and unintentional "bad" effects or outcomes. It's possible for someone to be both a real victim and to suffer from a victim complex. It's possible for someone to be blamed or called out AND forgiven. It's possible for someone to be forgiven and not blamed or called out. It's possible for someone to be empowered while also being a victim. It's possible to never know ultimately which is called for, and it's possible to know precisely, at certain times, when one is called for over the other. It's possible for someone to be a victim and never need any empowering. It's possible for a good cause to be nothing more than self-righteousness, and it's possible for a bad cause to accidentally or intentionally do wonderful things.

Why is it possible? Because it happens all the time!! Are we really so blind? Are we really the authors of everything? Are we the scriptwriters, and is our moral imagination the measure of all things?Again:

* It's possible to gain more spiritually from hardship and being a victim than from being born into any form of material power. It's possible for the reverse to happen. It's possible that our skin color, gender, or socio-economic status, emphasized, is only deepening divisions, and it's possible that focusing on skin color, gender, socio-economic status, or anything else, creates deeper spiritual AND material equality among all people, regardless of background.

* It's possible that we're trying to legislate or coerce people into moral behavior through shaming, and it's possible that we're holding people accountable. It's possible for some blend of both to be happening at once.

* Ultimate material equality may also not be possible. Do we dare even utter that? Why are we so afraid of this idea? Isn't it possible to do good, with full compassion and hope in our hearts, while knowing the ship is sinking? Regardless of whether it is or isn't sinking, isn't it safe to say that people can do good in the world without caring so much about the results, or at least the final results or any commitment to the ideas of spiritual or evolutionary progress?

I have had the joy and deep trouble of having to contemplate these things over and over again in my life, and I suspect others have too. Usually, people who contemplate these kinds of subversive ideas long enough, seriously enough, from the dark ground of their lived experiences and observations, will soon enough find an inner garden of silence growing wilder and wilder each day. This garden is exotic, filled with colors we usually don't have words for, and, at least for today's Mars/Pluto forecast, I'll dare to say that it is the place of the soul...the soul whose marginal contemplations are always a safe place and a treasured secret.​Prayer: Help us to be the hidden, dark observers for as often as we are such brilliant, angel-colored truth sayers.

Today, a history of the Mars/Pluto transits since the last square from Mars in Libra, which happened in December of 2015.

* November 13th, just as Mars enters Libra and begins its square to Pluto, a coordinated series of terrorist attacks are carried out in Paris.* December 2nd, 14 people are killed in a terrorist attack at a facility for the mentally disabled in San Bernadino, California. Trump calls for a complete ban on Muslims entering the United States.* During the period of the square a Nasa scientists report reveals that human-made carbon dioxide continues to increase above levels not seen in hundreds of thousands of years.* An arrest warrant is issued for comedian Bill Cosby.* A global climate change pact is agreed upon, committing all countries to reduce carbon emissions for the first time.

In all of the above, notice the major tensions that are present. Religious and political extremism, sexual abuse, rape and rape of the environment, etc.

Now let's visit the next aspect of Mars and Pluto, which occurred between late September of 2016 and late October of 2016.

* Explosive devices are planted in New Jersey and Manhattan, the terrorist is captured in a shootout the next day.* A state of emergency is declared in Charlotte, North Carolina after protests over the police killings of three black men in a single week.* Trump and Clinton have their first live debate, and then the access Hollywood tape, "Grab em by the p@#$@" is released.* The Obama administration accuses Russia of hacking the DNC.* Samsung smartphones are exploding and recalled.* A human mission to Mars is unveiled.* James Comey says that the bureau has chosen to reopen its investigation into Clinton's use of a private email server in relation to the Anthony Weiner "sexting scandals."

Notice again the same or similar themes repeating. Mars and Pluto catalyze, explode, detonate the powers of the collective unconscious. In this conjunction period, we see more religious and political violence and extremism, abuse of power and authority, violence and sexual abuse toward women, and in this case a few instances of technology that is a direct expression of Mars/Pluto.

After this, the next aspect between Mars and Pluto takes place during late January through February of 2017.

* Trump signs the first version of the travel ban. Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson secures a nationwide temporary restraining order on the ban from Judge James Robart.* Trump nominates Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme court, effectively stealing a seat.* Trump signs an executive order to scale back the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.* Betsy Devos is confirmed as the new US Secretary of Education.* Multiple reports of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian begin to emerge.* Nasa announces that a stat system has been discovered that contains seven Earth-sized planets, three of which are in "habitable" zones, and all seven have the potential to support liquid water.* Police forcibly evict all remaining Dakota Access Pipeline protestors. Standing Rock movement is forcibly ended.* Two Indian men are shot and killed in a hate crime that is tied to Trump's rhetoric.* Moonlight, a movie about a gay, black man coming to grips with his sexual identity wins the best picture.

Note again the way in which the period is defined by a surge of explosive events that reveal the powers of the collective unconscious. They are catalyzed by Mars: aggression, hostility, power struggles, violence, resistance, etc.

The next aspect is the most recent opposition between Mars and Pluto, which took place over the month of June 2017 and into July.

* Trump announces his intentions to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement (climate change).* Comey testifies before the Senate about conversations he had with Trump, who pressured him to drop an investigation into Michael Flynn.* The ninth circuit court of appeals upholds a decision blocking Trump's travel ban.* House Majority Whip Steve Scalise is shot during a baseball practice.* Robert Meuller is reportedly investigating Trump for obstruction of justice.* The officer who shot Philando Castille is acquitted of all charges, creating a surge of demonstrations.* A severe heatwave causes more than 40 American Airlines planes to be grounded. Denial of climate change abounds in response.* More reports on Trump Campaign's ties to Russia, specifically through his sons is released.* Russian and China urge North Korea to halt its missile and nuclear programs after it successfully tests its first intercontinental ballistic missile.* A terrorist attack levels the Great Mosque of al-Nuri in Mosul.* Mosul is declared fully liberated from ISIL.* The treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons is voted for at the UN.* OJ Simpson, the infamous NFL star, is released on parole from prison after serving nine years.* Sean Spicer resigns in protest at the appointment of communications director Anthony Scaramucci.* Trump asserts his "complete power to pardon," and then gives a highly politicized speech to a group of boy scouts. Soon after he says that Transgender people cannot serve in any capacity in the military.

I don't make this long list today in order to scare people. We don't need any evidence of what's happening in the world any longer to know that we're in a state of spiritual, ecological, cultural, and historic emergency. But it's also easy to fall asleep and allow these patterns to become like white noise.

Personally, here is what was happening to me during those same periods, just so we can see that the same powerful periods of catharsis are present for us as individuals...

Nov/Dec 2015: I'm just finishing moving into my house and my daughter is born. Her birth is emergency induced after I did a horary that said she was in distress in the womb. We went to the hospital and indeed the tests showed that she was in distress and so my wife was induced into labor. Happy ending! :)

Sept/Oct 2016: My grandfather had just passed away and then my dog was hit and killed by a train near our house. A horary led me to the body of my dog. I began teaching horary classes, and began a horary apprenticeship project called "Project 588." The location of our old yoga studio became compromised by a massive construction project and we began visioning ways to relocate.Jan/Feb 2017: We are moving into the new studio location thanks to a successful fund-raiser.

June/July 2017: The death of my dog and the karma surrounding that event inspire me to become a vegetarian and begin a private yoga apprenticeship. I lose 45 lbs thanks to that initiative and eventually surrender the impulsively purchased "replacement" dog to foster care.

As this current square comes in, I anticipate the catharsis and catalyzing power of Mars/Pluto, and I welcome it. We are all here not only to define our lives by what we accomplish before we die, but also by the consciousness that we bring to all of our failures, all of our learning, and to the process of dying. Mars and Pluto dare us to say yes to these moments of heightened tension and transformation. It may feel like more is at stake during these moments, but when we recall our eternal nature, then this moment is no more or less eternal than any other.​Prayer: Empower us. Make us brave. Make us willing. Remind us that nothing can be added to or subtracted from our eternal nature.

* The old, traditional, and ancient together with the modern, the new, the inventive, the original, and progressive.* Retro technology, invention, and improvements upon things from the past.* Avante Garde individualism married to a traditional, conservative, disciplined, serious style.* Rebelliousness and sobriety, progress and form, structure and invention.* Challenging the current paradigm by returning in some way to a previous form or structure.* Breaking boundaries, defying authority, but also establishing solid new containers for new ideas.* The brave new world that requires serious reform.* The new vision with old values. The old values infused with a new spirit, a new voice, a new generation.* The image of an old renegade or the youthful spirit of an older generation.* Defiance and rigidity costumed as progress.* A formal challenge to the status quo, a structured presentation of radical ideas. Breakthroughs that require focus, discipline, and commitment.

Mars/Pluto

* The intensification of the underworld, of the dark, repressed, suppressed, and hidden, unleashed through the qualities of violence, division, challenge, competition, cutting, bravery, and muscle.* The confrontation that unleashes hidden or unseen power* The challenge that provokes the release of powerful information, hidden below the surface* The compulsion to change, to destroy, to confront, to disclose, to reveal, to push to the surface, to blow out or up* The power and courage of the transformative impulse* The strength to do what we must, to confront the shadow* The unleashing of pent-up forces, feelings, and agitation* The removal of blockages, resistance, ignorance, and shadows through unavoidable or fated experiences of catharsis* Bullying, retribution, justice, destruction and the removal of hostile or invasive energies

These are two very intense transits that are both perfecting as we pass through the dark side of this current Moon cycle. Much will be released and surrendered, many fated events will come to pass, and the opportunity for healing will be profound, especially by the time of the New Moon. In the meantime, raising our awareness of these transits is important. The consciousness we bring to these times, the way we respond to whatever events occur that are outside of our control, is important. We're living in a time of spiritual crisis, but let's not forget that just as these transits come to pass, Jupiter will also be in a trine to Neptune, signaling the simultaneous possibility for the restoral or renewal of faith, vision, inspiration, and imagination.​Prayer: Guide us through this season of darkness. Restore our faith, and give us courage.

* When does it make sense to quit? One answer is that it makes sense to quit when we recognize that we are being dominated by the spirit of our efforts. Whenever we notice that our will is driving us, then we may also notice that our will isn't actually "free."

* In other words, freedom isn't only about doing whatever we will, it's also about recognizing exactly what we are doing. We are more often than not bound to what we are doing, only thinking we are free.

* "Free will actions" in this world are frequently deceptive because we become identified with our "free actions" and with the thinking about actions that surrounds our actions, and before we know it, we are lost in both the actions and reactions, trying to define happiness and freedom from within them, rather than recognizing freedom as that which recognizes the acting and thinking and doing.

* Mars opposite Pluto offers us an opportunity to find real freedom right now by recognizing the bondage of our actions. By recognizing where our efforts are failing, frustrated, helplessly grasping, demanding, or forcing, we might start to recognize that we don't actually feel free.

* When something large and stressful is coming to meet us, sometimes we can recognize it before it happens. We can recognize the way in which we are actually invoking some kind of confrontation, or we are subtly or even psychically escalating a situation. When we recognize this, it is the first indication that stepping back, or pulling something back, might be the appropriate response.

* Often when something is escalating it means we haven't taken the time to really sit with, examine, contemplate, and probe to the heart of the matter. Mars opposite Pluto is so frequently the lessons we learn by not understanding the depths of some particular conflict, set of desires, or compulsion.

* Mars opposite Pluto may also symbolize the cutting and re-cutting of a patch of weeds, as well as the opportunity to finally turn over the soil and pull something toxic out by its roots.

* When we recognize that we are going to lose, or that something isn't going to work, what is it within us that can't give it up, step back, or see the profit in counting the losses of our will as the gain of our soul?

* Mars/Pluto may also signify a time where the fruit of our efforts is arriving in powerful and volcanic ways. Sometimes right when we're done with something, or right when we're finishing a period of hard work, there is a somewhat unexpected flourishing of tensions and conflicts, like an end-level boss on a video game, challenging us to finish in the right spirit, running not falling through the finish line.

* On the other hand, Mars/Pluto may reflect a time where we are finally being provoked on a soul level to work through, purge, or confront something. The image of a soldier's last stand comes to mind.

* Mars/Pluto may also represent the wisdom of winning through subtler, more covert, or clandestine strategies. Sometimes not having an agenda, without losing sight of our mission, the mission finds a way of accomplishing itself. We don't really have to "Do" anything other than watch, observe, hold to the integrity of our position, and fight off the temptation to force something.​Prayer: Show us where we are being forced by our own forcefulness, and show us the freedom of deeper contemplation.

The Sun/Saturn opposition is just separating and the Sun is moving into a sextile with Uranus. Meanwhile, Mars in his fall and combust the Sun is now beginning its application to a square with Jupiter and an opposition with Pluto. 2017. What can you say?!

Well, there are two kinds of comments that I often receive from readers regarding "the times" we're living in. One is something along the lines of, "this is a necessary time of contraction and darkness in the midst of humanity laboring to birth a new, higher form of consciousness," and the second is, "this is something like the kali yuga we're living through, and it's only going to get worse." One view of time and history is linear and rooted in the idea that consciousness is evolving toward higher, perhaps more novel, or more sophisticated levels of consciousness, and the other is rooted in the idea that time moves in something like repeating, archetypal cycles, and we're merely in a dark cycle at the moment.

Along with these two views often come different associated comments, like, "We have to lift the vibration and act as midwives to the birth!" or "We have to do our best to help, we can't be passive, but that's because virtue is still important, even on a sinking ship."The bottom line seems to be that wherever we might stand on how we view history, our part in history has to do with choosing virtue. But that raises the question, "How do we act virtuously?"

When examining the history of the word "virtue," almost every major religious tradition on our planet suggests that virtue is cultivated by practice, and that virtue is also associated with some degree of inner happiness. So, the times we're living in call for virtue, virtue doesn't guarantee but is related to inner happiness, and virtue requires consistent practice, with devotion, over a long period of time.

Sometimes we hear the phrase, "To change the world you have to change yourself," and then we hear the criticism, "This is just bourgeois ambivalence speaking."

But if we set aside the rhetoric around "change," and "the world," and if we look within ourselves in the quiet, the truth is that real virtue within us, cultivated through real practice, with devotion, and consistency, over a long period of time, is extremely difficult. Most of us talk about it but don't do it. Most of us admire the classrooms of virtue, but then we write ourselves free hall passes all the time because we consider ourselves to be more or less "a good person," as though this excuses us from consistent practice and the cultivation of virtue. But is this any different than saying, well, despite the world being a mess, I'm a glass half-full kind of person, and then continuing to do nothing?

I bring all of this up today to put a seal on our examination of the Sun/Saturn dynamic. As the Sun is separating from Saturn, there is an undeniable call to cultivate virtue through practice. There is no commentary needed from us, no committed view of history, no elaborate take on the past, or the future, just the willingness to practice and to continue cultivating virtue within ourselves.Meanwhile, as Mars moves toward a square of Jupiter in the next week we will likely see a surge of competitive, martial energy. Mars will be expanded, exaggerated, and perhaps ennobled by Jupiter, but the square will also involve direct challenges to justice, fairness, balance, due-process and so forth (par for the course this year!). The subsequent opposition to Pluto will be deep, intense, penetrating and purgative. And these transits will become the focus of my daily meditations over the next few weeks, looking at them from a variety of different angles, and calling on the I Ching for regular counsel as we go.​Prayer: Give us the strength and the desire to cultivate virtue, so that the happiness we find within ourselves is given to others in simple and ordinary, but never-ending devotion.

Mars is square to Pluto today. Here's yet another attempt to identify the powers of these planets in our lives...

* Today is the deadline for the Standing Rock protesters to evacuate...a confrontation is at hand that might potentially trigger or provoke a reaction or series of events that is far reaching, cathartic, and explosive.* A new travel ban is supposed to be announced...another display of power and force that will likely create a vigorous response.* All drivers have road rage right now, so be careful. :-)* All angry outbursts are in some ways necessary right now but also overstated and likely to provoke reactions or responses that are also necessary but equally overstated. Everyone should be required to insert two marshmallows into their mouth, one in each cheek, before issuing their righteous decrees.* Desire is intense right now, but so too might be the desire to control, contain, or direct our desires. Be careful not to go crazy in either direction.* Focus, drive, stamina, and intention are here. Use it or lose it!* Authenticity and honesty may be quite provoking right now. Try saying yes to it if it collides with you today.* The competitive fires are hot right now...recognize jealousy, revenge, or unhealthy competition today before it creates more drama than its worth.* The Moon is about to trigger the Mars/Pluto square shortly...so you know...it really is "on" today.Helpful things to do rather than getting into a fist fight at Whole Foods:* Have sex, but make sure it's with the one you love (not just the one you're with!) :-)* Drive under the speed limit* Say something profound to yourself, maybe to someone else, but tell everyone first that you want a free pass to say it...* Work your body, sweat, work it out physically* Set an intention that will change your life, and get started with it* When you see any crazy Mars/Pluto events happening around you or in the collective this week, take just a moment to recognize that you have seen this coming. We are precognitive, prophetic beings living in a sphere orbiting around a star, traveling through a massive mandala galaxy which is itself undulating and alive....​Prayer: Astrologize us Mars/Pluto.

Finally...some thoughts on today's astrology...Mars/Pluto in particular. Not surprisingly, I was leveled today by a number of fast developments. One in particular made me laugh out loud...my wife was sitting at her desk in the yoga studio and the entire building started shaking so loudly and powerfully that she thought there was an earthquake happening. Nope...that's just the demolition TNT being used on all sides of the studio!! Hello there, Mars/Pluto!

Here are some things worth mentioning or paying attention to:

* The new travel ban is set to roll out soon...this is certain to be provoking of a powerful, explosive response given the planetary dynamics right now.* The Mars/Pluto dynamic may bring a sense of urgency and intensity to things right now. Move. Now. Hard. Fast. Deep. This is how Mars/Pluto rolls!* Mars/Pluto provokes. Mars/Pluto urges on.* Mars/Pluto reacts before thinking too much or acts before considering consequences. There is also an incredible sense of necessity that comes with Pluto. This had to happen. This was a kettle with a lid too tight, etc.* Mars/Pluto is being activated tomorrow, in particular, by the late waning Moon...a prelude to Sunday's eclipse and subsequent Jupiter/Uranus opposition. A complete shift, breakthrough, or departure from the norm or status-quo is being provoked by this explosive transit.* You may notice these dynamics happening around you, or you may notice them happening "to you." There might be dynamite exploding in the background, shaking the building you're in, or you might find yourself suddenly inundated by someone or something.* Remember that these planets are in cardinal signs, which means these events are fast, dramatic, and pointed, but they don't usually last too long. They plant seeds, but they aren't the energy to carry through to the finish.​Prayer: Blow our minds and open our hearts.

* Today the waning Moon is conjoining Saturn in Sagittarius. It's a good day for finishing things, for endings, resolution, purging, or letting go of something. Be careful of rigidity, harshness, or severity. But note that discipline, focus, hard work, and commitment to a plan or goal pays off. It's a good day to get serious and push toward the finish line!

* This week Mars in Aries is applying to square Pluto in Capricorn. This is an incredibly dynamic transit that should provoke pivotal events both collectively and personally. Mars/Pluto is fast, hard, explosive, and cathartic. Be careful of recklessness, impulsiveness, violence, aggression, and the tendency to implode or explode. On the other hand, watch as events naturally catalyze change, healing, and transformation this week. Mars/Pluto is where fierce action and tight control either work together to create rapid results or they provoke one another and incite tremendous tension and conflict. Watch for power moves, power loss, and chain reactions of cardinal style events over the next few days.

* Meanwhile, Jupiter in Libra and Uranus in Aries are opposite one another and will be exactly opposite, joined by Mars in Aries, closely following this week's solar eclipse on Sunday. The actions and events of this week's Mars/Pluto dynamic will be closely followed by our strongest transit of 2017. Thus the end of this moon cycle and the entirety of our next cycle, passing over the Spring Equinox, has the potential to be a landmark astrological moment.

In the I Ching, hexagram number 12, sometimes called "divorcement," shows heaven departing from earth as dark powers are on the rise. The hexagram discusses what to do when inevitable, natural, and recurring cycles in nature give rise to dark powers, especially in the government. The instruction of the hexagram is for the noble one to accept the disturbing truth of the moment, and to recognize it as part of the natural ebb and flow of life, and to resist the urge to fight without a simultaneous wisdom concerning the naturalness of the moment within a greater cycle. The hexagram is clear that this is not a matter of passive retreat, indifference, collusion, or acceptance, but rather the simple acknowledgement of what naturally occurring energy is rising in power compared to that which is waning. The hexagram instructs both perseverance and patience in equal measure, along with a kind of optimistic distancing and tact....almost as though the instruction for fighting this opponent is to allow the opponent to do themselves in over time rather than likely losing in a direct competition where there isn't yet sufficient power.

In each line of the hexagram there are specific attempts at restoring order and union, which subtly suggests that the rise of dark powers, and the pushing out of the light, are actually setting the stage for a profound drive toward greater unity and harmony on all levels...though again the time for that union and harmony hasn't yet arrived, and the key to its arrival is a deep understanding of the naturalness of the rise of darkness within great cycles.

This isn't an easy teaching because we frequently imagine that the future is entirely open, indeterminate, and that any and all cycles of recurring darkness can and should be "forever" broken or swiftly overcome through direct combat.

At moment's like these it's hard to imagine ourselves floating high above the earth, distancing ourselves from the fray, because our bodies tell us that now is the time to fight, oppose, and resist. But when read closely, this isn't a hexagram telling us to divorce ourselves from the earth, it's rather one that shows us that when dark powers rise THEY are divorced from heaven. In such times the view from 10,000 feet is thus the one we hold whether we like it or not...​Prayer: Teach us to hold heaven in our hearts, the view from 10,000 feet, even as we inevitably oppose the darkness rising.

The Moon is in Scorpio today, applying to a square with Mercury. Meanwhile, Mars is moving into a square with Pluto.

Here's what to watch for:

* Mars' application to Pluto is a powerful force to be reckoned with in the next week. Where Mars drives through, slices, divides, penetrates, heats, and intensifies, Pluto dredges the depths, brings to the surface what is hidden, dying, sick, or festering, and transforms or transfigures. When the two come together the potential for revelation and transformation through forceful, aggressive, and penetrating actions is high. At the same time, Mars and Pluto together represent the power play, the violent, ruthless, dark, hidden, and coercive display of force, aggression, and self-centered ambition. This combination can drive us to transform ourselves in amazing ways, but it can also penetrate through facades and superficiality with an almost vengeful disregard for personal feelings or sensitivities.

* The Mars/Pluto transit is great for working on anger, hostility, and aggression issues in all areas of life. Working to reveal or illuminate the unconscious material related to unchecked displays of rage, lust, frustration, and constant agitation, Mars/Pluto lights up the unseen depths and provides us with an opportunity to either use those forces more constructively or to understand their nature and what triggers their less constructive expressions.

* Mars/Pluto is also about the desire to blow something apart, to desecrate, or to divide something that appears beautiful but is actually ugly, immoral, or deceitful below the surface. However, the same energy is sometimes used to express vengeance, jealousy, and lust...it's a good moment to be extra mindful of how we are acting and reacting, and why.

* Today the Moon is applying to make its last quarter, which brings us toward the difficulty of finishing, or those natural roadblocks that arise as we're moving toward the end of the Moon cycle. With a square to Mercury from the Moon in Mars' sign today, we may see the temptation to argue, tamper, disrupt, or interfere with whatever we don't like or agree with. It's one of those days where people may not be ready to hear whatever honesty we have to share, or where we may not be ready for the bottom line. On a positive note, the Moon/Mercury square with the Moon in Mars' sign is good for clarifying areas of division or contention, so that we might begin to move through problematic areas going forward. It's also a good day to keep the ball rolling, to stay on task, and to remain steadfast when unexpected delays or breakdowns occur.

* Moon in Scorpio tip...whatever darkness, troubles, or emotional turmoil you may feel right now, it's usually part truth and part paranoia...so sit with your feelings, acknowledge whatever doubts or fears you have, acknowledge what you suspect, trust your gut, but don't act from fear, revenge, or an overly defensive place, and your instincts will serve you well!​Prayer: Prepare us to be penetrated, healed, and transformed. Give us courage, give us patience, and give us strength for the illuminations ahead!

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Author

Adam Elenbaas is a professional astrologer and the founder of the Nightlight Astrology School. Adam holds an MA and MFA in English and Creative Writing and is one of the founding writers at RealitySandwich. To learn more about Adam, click here.